How to serialize boost::rational

Question

I cannot serialize boost::rational. I searched for a boost/serialize/rational.h header but it does not exist.

 /usr/include/boost/seriali         


        

Answer 1

Use the provided input/output functions: https://www.boost.org/doc/libs/1_64_0/libs/rational/rational.html#Input%20and%20Output

Serialize to a std::string:

template 
std::string serialize(boost::rational& rational) const {
  std::stringstream rational_ss;

  rational_ss << rational;
  return rational_ss.str();
}

This serializes the rational to a string that looks like "3/5" e.g.

To deserialize, use boost::rational's >>.